2017

In the wake of rapidly shifting rhetoric and policies that further criminalize immigrants and communities of color, several organizations across the country have developed new tools for response and support for the directly impacted individuals and their families, There have been numerous cases of migrants being detained after going to a routine check-in at the offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or BI Incorporated (the private company that ICE contracts with to manage the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program). Family members literally disappear, often without being allowed to inform their friends or relatives, creating panic among their loved ones, destroying families and devastating our communities.

In some cities, a successful tool to protect against this threat to due process and violation of our shared values, has been to accompany individuals to these check-ins. By volunteering to accompany migrants to ICE check-ins, we are able to show solidarity and perhaps, in a small way, help to ease the anxiety of interacting with the legal system, reducing the likelihood of detention with our presence, and keeping relatives and/or lawyers informed in case the individual is detained. This is a huge help to efforts to end detention and deportation.

After attending a training session for a similar program run by Missouri Faith Voices of Columbia, MO, IFCLA prepared and hosted a training session to begin this type of program locally. Now, similar programs are operating across the state! The first session, held on July 17, trained roughly 25 individuals. The St. Louis Accompaniment Teams have supported community members at 4 check-ins since then. There will be additional training opportunities in November, and we are always looking for new locations/groups to which we can offer this training. Please contact the office for details.

We are also working to ensure that our community members know this service exists, and would welcome your support!